BLACK BOX

                                  version 1.0

                                 presented by:

                            Creative Software Design
                                  PO Box 41751
                             Fayetteville, NC  28309

                                   written by:

                                 Kevin S. Murray

===============================================================================

Black Box, a logic game for Windows.  The object of this game is to determine
the position of targets hidden inside a box.  You locate the targets by firing
bullets into the box and analyzing the reaction of the bullet.

The only rule to remember is that a bullet may not pass directly next to a
target.  If a bullet heads directly into a target, it will hit it, however, if
the bullet is passing next to a target, it will be deflected away from the
target.  Consider the example below:


           out
            A   B   C
            
     in 1 ÄÄÙ           4

     H  2 ÄÄÄÄ X     ÚÄ5 R
                      À
        3       Ú¿  X   6
                ³
            D   E   F


A shot fired into the box at position "1" would deflect out at position
"A" since it can not pass directly next to the target.  A shot fired in
the box at postion "2" would HIT the target.  A shot fired in position
"5" would reflect right back out of the box since it can not pass directly
next to the target.  The same is true for the shot fired at position "E".
A shot fired in "F" or "6" would be a hit.  This may seem complicated,
but, just remember, a bullet can not pass directly beside or above a target.

A shot which hits a target will display an "H".  A reflection is defined as
a shot that exits in the same location which it entered the box.  The most
common reason for a reflection is a target along the outer edge of the box.
Another way to get a reflection is shown below:

                A   B   C
                    ³
                    ³³      The shot can not pass through the targets and
                    ÀÙ      it can't deflect left or right.  It must back
                X       X   up and return the direction from which it came.

The "SHOW" button will display the targets as well as the results of every
entry point for a shot.

This game is a great tool for the development of logic and deductive reasoning.
Children seem to enjoy it a great deal.  Of course, a lot of adults like it,
too!  If you find this game entertaining, please, register.  I am asking $5
which I think is reasonable for a game of this sort.

The program was developed in Visual Basic 2.0.  If you would like the source
code and forms associated with this project, send $15.  Visual Basic is an
easy way to enter the world of Windows programming.

Ok, so what do you get when you register?  I have no plans of releasing another
version, since I can not think of anything else to add.  I have toyed with the
idea of recreating it in C or C++ to make it faster and to eliminate the need
for the run-time library.  If enough people register the program, I will code
it in C and send the new version to everyone that registered.  Of course,
those that send $15 will receive a disk with all associated project files,
ready to run under Visual Basic 2.0.

I have released other shareware programs with little success in registration.
If you use this, please register.  You be the judge, is this program worth
five bucks?  Don't delay - register today!  :)

Anyway, enjoy the program.  Look for these other programs from Creative
Software Design:

The BLOB        - A strategy game, human vs human, or human vs computer
CRUSHMAN        - Like hangman, only the man gets squashed - kids love it
STIQUES         - Pronounced "sticks", a game of territory capture like
                  the paper game of connecting dots to form squares.
TENNANTS        - You be the landlord, can you keep your building rented
                  and build more?